NCGA Reinforces Importance of Seed Treatments in Comments to EPA

May 7, 2020

NCGA Reinforces Importance of Seed Treatments in Comments to EPA

This week the National Corn Growers Association submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the importance of neonicotinoids as part of the registration review process for three products.

The comments reinforced the importance of the neonicotinoid products being considered for reregistration – Clothianidin, Thiamethoxam and Imidacloprid – which are found in common corn seed treatments to combat early-season pests that attack seeds and seedlings when they are at their most vulnerable.

Without access to these products, losses to farmers could reach $848 million annually, primarily related to yield loss, according to research by AgInfomatics. Few insecticidal seed treatments exist outside of these products.

Neonicotinoids work well and are important because they help assure corn crop viability and allow for precise application of the pesticide to seeds, thus reducing non-target exposure and environmental runoff.

NCGA reinforced its ongoing commitment to education related to the proper use, handling, and disposal of neonicotinoids to limit environmental exposure and assure the health and safety of mammals, birds, and pollinators.

EPA will review all submitted comments and, in the coming months, issue a final interim decision. A final decision will be issued after all products are reviewed in accordance with the Endangered Species Act.

NCGA is taking a series of actions to do our part to help contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the economic fallout it is creating for corn farmers and our customers. Short term, this means instituting policies to protect the health and safety of our stakeholders and the broader communities we serve. Long term, we’re focused on creating solutions to help corn farmers and our customers recover from the financial impacts of this crisis.

CommonGround is a group of farmers connecting with consumers through conversations about science and research and personal stories about food and misinformation surrounding farming. Supported by the NCGA and state corn organizations.

The Soil Health Partnership (SHP) is a farmer-led initiative that fosters transformation in agriculture through improved soil health. Administered by NCGA the partnership has more than 220 working farms enrolled in 16 states. SHP’s mission is to utilize science and data to partner with farmers who are adopting conservation agricultural practices that improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the farm.